The April issue of Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletter explores the many benefits of social media in enhancing the image of a city center and stopping negativity in its tracks.
(Boonton, NJ, April 15, 2011) — Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blogging attract millions of users daily. Downtown organizations are using the constant-connectivity craze to educate the public about issues, create buzz about events, and to maintain a line of open communication with the public.
"At first, I thought this was just a shiny new toy everyone was talking about," says Lisa Martinez, director of marketing and outreach at the Downtown Sacramento Partnership in Sacramento, CA.
Now, Martinez has changed her thinking and adopted a three-pronged approach to social media.
First, is marketing downtown and downtown events through Facebook and Twitter.
Second is monitoring community feedback about downtown. To do this, the Partnership follows online conversations that mention the downtown area and jumps in when appropriate to correct misconceptions and share information.
And third, the Partnership offers its members free social media workshops to help them take advantage of new marketing opportunities.
One unexpected benefit of social networking has been some real-world networking. "We\'re seeing a lot of small businesses and restaurants collaborate. They may be competitors, but there\'s a lot of buoyancy in cross-promoting each other," says Martinez.
Details on the Downtown Sacramento Partnership\'s work with social media appears in the April issue of Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletter.
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About the Downtown Research & Development Center
For over 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has acted as the information clearinghouse on practical strategies and tactics for revitalizing the hearts of our cities and towns.
The Group\'s main activities include publishing the widely influential Downtown Idea Exchange and Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletters; publishing relevant books and reports; and operating the DowntownDevelopment.com website.
Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com